SoHo Playhouse

The SoHo Playhouse is an iconic Off-Broadway theatre with a rich history dating back to the 1700s. The land on which the theatre currently stands was originally part of the Richmond Hill Estate, which holds historical significance as the headquarters for George Washington during The Battle of Manhattan. The estate was famously owned by Aaron Burr, who, after his infamous duel in 1807, was compelled to vacate the land. Subsequently, the land was acquired by John Jacob Astor. In 1826, a building was erected at 15 Vandam Street, which would later become the site of the SoHo Playhouse. By the 1880s, the building was taken over by the Tammany Hall Democrats and served as their social quarters for the Democratic Party. The turn of the century saw the creation of the Huron Club in 1900, which functioned as Tammany Hall's District One Headquarters. The building's history continued to evolve through the early 20th century. In 1918, it was used as residential quarters by Battery Dan Finn and Mayor Beau James’ Walker. Four years later, in 1922, the upstairs was transformed into a theatre and speaking hall, while the downstairs operated as a speakeasy bar during the Prohibition era. A significant transformation occurred in 1963 when Edward Albee took over the building and established The South Village Theatre. Throughout the 1970s, the theatre served as an incubator and performance house for Edward Albee’s Playwrights’ Unit. This initiative supported the development of numerous playwrights, including Sam Shephard, Leroi Jones, and Lanford Wilson, contributing to the rich tapestry of American theatre. In 2004, Darren Lee Cole assumed the lease of the SoHo Playhouse, thereby reviving a longstanding Off-Broadway tradition. Today, the SoHo Playhouse stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Off-Broadway theatre, providing a platform for both local and international artists to present their work. The theatre continues to innovate by fostering a symbiotic relationship between the stage and digital mediums to ensure the vitality of Off-Broadway performances in the modern era.